I call it positive. Incredibly so. Not happy -- in fact, unspeakably painful. But a Kiddush HaShem: a blessing on G-d's name.In the midst of the overwhelming death and destruction that is Haiti right now, there are Israelis who have come to save lives and offer succor.Last Friday, El Al and IDF planes came into Haiti , carrying 250 medical personnel -- doctors, nurses, lab and x-ray technicians and even a psychiatrist -- and supplies for the first mobile hospital, including a pharmacy, a surgical unit, and a maternity ward. A young Haitian mother who was the first to deliver in this ward, early this morning, named her baby Israel .Members of ZAKA, the Israeli ultra-Orthodox volunteer rescue organization, were on the scene as well. Saturday, on Shabbat, they labored, digging in the rubble of a collapsed multi-story university building, where cries were heard. After hours of effort, they succeeded in pulling eight students from that rubble, alive.These ZAKA members then took time, in the midst of the chaos, to wrap themselves in their tallitot (prayer shawls) and recite their Shabbat prayers. Undoubtedly most if not all of the Haitians on the scene had never seen such a sight.When the men had finished praying, a crowd of people gathered around them and kissed their tallitot.According to one report, head of the ZAKA mission, Mati Goldstein said:"With all the hell going on outside, even when things get bad Judaism says we must take a deep breath and go on to save more people."We did everything to save lives, despite Shabbat. People asked, 'Why are you here? There are no Jews here', but we are here because the Torah orders us to save livesŠ"At one point, when things were very grim, Goldstein reported that one mission member started to sing, Heveinu Shalom Aleichem (We bring peace to you.) "I had tears in my eyes," he said.The ZAKA mission will be staying in Haiti a couple more days, even though beyond a certain point it is highly unlikely that anyone else will be found alive under the rubble.What is exceedingly important to the mission is making their Israeli identity very clear. And so, in this regard, you can help Israel by sharing this broadly and letting the world know what we are all about.Roberta WeilPhoto credit: APComments.Subscribe to our email updates.
Jewish Kauai Volunteer Opportunities
There are two board positions available for JCK members: 
• The Interfaith Roundtable of Kauai• Ho'ike- Public Access TVSince taking my new job as a sales executive with Marriott, regretfully I have been forced to resign from these very worthwhile positions.Time commitment is minimal. If you or someone you know is interested in serving on either board, please contact me by email or phone (808) 652-7297.Comments.Subscribe to our email updates.
Kauai Jews To Take Part in Martin Luther King Day
Martin Luther King Day will be observed at Kukui Grove Center main stage on January 18, 2010 from 11am-1pm. The Jewish Community of Kauai will be reading prayers on peace and leading the singing of “Sim Shalom”.All are welcome to join me as I represent the Jewish Community of Kauai. For more information call 808-639-0283 or email me at dale@kauaijewishcommunity.com.
JCK Members' New Comedy Show
Cass and Nellie Foster are relatively new members of our Kauai Jewish Community. They are also two of the six founders of a new theatrical company on Kauai, Oceanside Productions.Their first show, a 90-minute comedy, "The Complete History of America: abridged" will open in February (date not yet announced) at the Aston at Makaiwa and run every Thursday and Friday evening.You can learn more about the company and the show by visiting their website. Tickets will be available on the site mid January.Comments.
Minyan Needed
Visiting family would like to have a short service and recite Kaddish on Friday, Jan. 22, 2010. Visiting Poipu area.Please contact Naomi Spinack if you can make yourself available. Her phone number is (206) 200-6259.Thank you.
KEO Outreach Reported in Garden Island
JCK's Christmas Dinner at KEO was featured in The Garden Island newspaper on Sunday, January 3, page A6. In case you didn't see it, the article appears below with permission from writer, Vera Benedek.Dinner Served to HomelessMost would agree that under ideal circumstances, Christmas dinner is best enjoyed at home, surrounded by family and friends, savoring course after course of delicious homemade food. But when the key ingredient – a home – is missing, Kauai’s homeless don’t have to go without the rest of the Christmas traditions.For the third year in a row, the Jewish Community of Kauai (JCK) has organized the preparation and serving of Christmas dinner to clients of the Kauai Economic Opportunity’s Mana’olana Emergency Homeless Shelter and Transitional Housing program.Organized by Dr. Lisa Splittstoesser, Jewish Community members prepared the multi-course dinner, complete with four turkeys, a ham, a brisket, mashed potatoes, stuffing, dinner rolls, salad, a green-bean casserole and other side dishes, several desserts, and a selection of juices and sodas. There was enough food contributed for Mana’olana residents to enjoy seconds and thirds and still have leftovers for the days to come.Mana’olana is equipped with a kitchen that includes a big enough refrigerator to hold the leftovers and residents of the 19-bed emergency shelter have access to the kitchen daily from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m. The facility serves approximately 540 individuals annually.Because Christmas is not a holiday observed and celebrated by Jews the way it is by Christians, the Jewish Community saw this as an opportunity to help Mana’olana residents and staff enjoy Christmas with a special Christmas meal.In addition to the meal, Jewish Community members also decorated the facility with festive Christmas decorations, and distributed Christmas gifts for the children of the shelter families.Before serving the dinner, JCK’s Marty Kahn introduced the volunteers and taught the residents a Hebrew song called “Shalom, Haverim,” which means “Peace, Friends.” A little later, as residents were enjoying their meal, they were entertained by guest flutist Gigi Shanley, who came to play Christmas carols for them.(The Garden Island, Sunday, January 3, 2010, by Vera Benedek).
2010 Community Calendar and Events Now Online
Many services, events and holidays have been added to our new website calendar.Wishing each and every community member and their loved ones a Happy, Healthy New Year.
Thank You JCK!
We had our 3rd annual successful Christmas dinner at KEO, feeding about 25 people in the homeless shelter and transitional housing. There was an abundance of food for everyone and gifts for the children. This could not have been possible without the generous donations of our Jewish community.Thank you to all who participated in this wonderful mitzvah:Susan Storm, Judy Rachap, Debra and Ernie Blachowiak, Barbara and Richard Levine, Nancy Golden, The Winston Family (Sandee, Lance, Emily, Blake and Jillian), Dale Rosenfeld, Micki and Bill Evslin, Rob Kvidt and Jeff Tucker, Lenore and Bob Klass, Carole and Marty Kahn, Trudy and Don Schoenfeld, The Quinn Family (Andrea, Pat, Theo, and Malia), Sally Wilson, Vicki Goldberg, Russ Josephson and Vera Benedek, Sara Silverman, Mike, Malia and Chiyako Splittstoesser, and Gigi Shanley.
Volunteers Needed for JCK's KEO Christmas Dinner
If you like to cook we need your help. It's the perfect chance to channel your inner Julia Child.This Friday, December 25, the JCK community is preparing a Christmas dinner for the homeless shelter and transitional housing families at Kauai Economic Opportunity (KEO).As of today, we're in need of volunteers to make one more turkey, stuffing, gravy and dessert. If you can help, let Lisa Splittstoesser know what you can bring.All food is prepared at your home and dropped off at 4:30pm, Friday, December 25, at KEO in Lihue. Before you start cooking contact Lisa by phone at 634-7006 or email lsplitts@yahoo.com.If you'd like to help in other ways, we still need more children's gifts to be dropped off (unwrapped).Comments.
Orin Hatch's Hannukah Song
JCK Throws Chanukah Bash
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJoYnMkeUYMWe had a terrific Chanukah party this year with about 60 adults and children. It began with a short Shabbat service led by yours truly, followed by the kinder lighting the candles and all chanting the blessings.Latkes were perfect (thanks Sandy- Fresh From the Garden), challah and desserts were enjoyed by all.Carol Pescaia read an enchanting Chanukah story to the kids after which they decorated Chanukah cookies pre-made by Lisa Splittstoesser and Andrea (Icing on the Cake) Quinn.The evening ended too soon with all looking forward to next year's Chanukah festival.Chag Urim Sameach
Video by Jeff
Chanukah Greetings
JCK Chanukah ShabbatAs a reminder, we will be celebrating with a special party and look forward to your attending:
- Friday night, December 11, 6pm.
- St. Michaels, Lihue.
- Click on the highlighted link above for all of the details and cost.
- Latkes and beverages will be provided. Please bring a potluck dessert.
- Reminder: Please bring canned food for the food outreach program. We're collecting gifts for the children at KEO's Christmas dinner; you may bring an unwrapped gift to our party if you wish.
Regency Puakea Chanukah PartyJCK is again helping sponsor the 2nd annual Chanukah party for the residents, families and friends of seniors living at Regency Puakea in Puhi. All are welcome!Here are the details:
- 2pm Sunday December 13 at Regency Puakea.
- Children from the Jewish Community will join with residents in games and candle-lighting.
- Latkes are being provided by Regency Puakea.